Re: Svarik and the company II

[Mirach]

"I agree with you in that," Svarik said kindly. "We already discussed his punishment with Hans. He is really talented, although misguided. It would be a pity to just sentence him to death."

[VisAnastasis]

" Really? " Tide seemed surprised, at least by his voice, though Svarik could not see it under the mask. " What was the punishment you had in mind? I hope it's not a loss of a limb or something... " he inquired slowly. " It would be a wasted effort, I just say. I mean, I can just give him an extra hand of mine. If not something like that, what will be his punishment? "

[Mirach]

"Nothing like that," Svarik shook his head. "If I would wish his pain, I would be satisfied with the punishment he got from Erdel, but I wish nothing like that. Just the loss of Lorenzo's patronage and prohibition to take any patron until my next visit. I would like to claim him myself then, if he behaves, but I'm not going to tell him that. He will also put his talent at the Organisation's disposal, but that part already depends on Hans. So far he's planning to make him write some essays on law books and a few awful plays... But after he proves himself, he might really be quite useful to you."

[VisAnastasis]

" I admit, that I am surprised with such mildnes..  and thankful. I am happy, that we see things the same way, and that you are no cruel without reason. " Critter said, and shyly, it took of its mask, letting king see the warmth in his pierching blue eyes. " I don't know if I will see the day he is useful ... but he is not a bad person. He just requires some help and patience, to deal with his problems. I will make sure he gets help he needs, if I live, or if I die. I will make sure he never does anything ill to you or any of yourself, that much I think I can promise."

[Mirach]

"I trust you and Hans to keep an eye on him," Svarik nodded. "I guess some more formal room would be better for passing the sentence, don't you think? Is there some we can use? When Hans wakes, you can wake him too and bring him there."

[VisAnastasis]

" It depends, if you believe sentense should be public or not. If not public... I think meeting room you had audience with Sage would be best. " Tide  advised. " And... if you don't want him to know he won't die before sentense is passed, it is hard to suggest that, but I should perhaps not come to him. I have soft heart, for lonely and fearful creatures. " He admitted. " If he asked me if he will live, I could not keep what you shared with me from him. "

[Mirach]

"I don't want to be needlessly cruel, but he hurt and poisoned Erdel, and made him believe he is dying. I think he deserves to believe the same for a while longer, for that. Can you tell a guard to bring him there and wait for us? We can then wait here for Hans and Sage and then go there together."

[VisAnastasis]

" It is minor request... But could we perchance let him sleep? He was rather sleep deprived, and he just managed to fall asleep a bit ago." Tide said slowly, not too convinced this already he will manage to coax it, but trying, anyway. " I would understand if you say no, but if we can, I'd rather let him sleep, and receive his punishment more sober... Because I do have a little request regarding punishment as well, that will require his mind a bit clearer. " he admitted. " He should apologize, for his wrongdoings. Not just by *sorry*, but in written form, by end of the day. I think he should write an apology letter to you, to Erdel, and to Lorenzo and Amelia, two pages at least each. He should use small letters, and you should forbid him to use any segments or monologues from any play, only his own words. " he grinned innocently. " It's a little thing, but it's least he can do, to explain himself, and it's a bit of a therapy, from my side, to make him think through more of what he did. I admit I may have let him have two glasses of wine, so he'll be hungover, too - it's a perfect state of discomfort to have to struggle to make an essay through. Would you consider that little addition to his punishment, please? "

[Mirach]

"I agree to that, but let him write one to Sage as well. He made him belive that his son was a traitor and broke the rules of hospitality. And one to you, for believing the same about your nephew. I will let him sleep until Hans and Sage wake, so he has a bit clearer mind for that task," Svarik decided.

[VisAnastasis]

" Those are lot of pages... But I agree. It's only fair, for him to struggle a bit. Besides, for him to work through his feelings, he needs to have them clear, and as someone who reads a lot while learning roles, writing his feelings down could help more. " Tide nodded, sharing a glimpse of his psychological approach with meadow king. " If his life is really not at stake, then I am more at ease already, and thankful. There are two more things, which I wanted to talk through, if I may. One is.. A little favor I wish to ask from you, for me. " he said more shyly, before adding. " The second thing, is connected with Death, and I'd leave that for the end, after I first tell you what I desire from you, if you'd be willing to hear me out. "

[Mirach]

"Of course I will hear you out," Svarik said, finding the possibility of refusing that to Tide absurd.

[VisAnastasis]

" The thing is... I first must plead you not to laugh. i know this is fairly foolish and sentimental of me... But, the thing is... People should receive some positive reinforcement, not only punishments, I believe. " he said shyly, and king could see how a bit more sparkles flowed into his playful eyes. " I heard you can make flowers bloom with your music. Falcon wrote us all about it, and... I don't need a magnificent garden, and I do not doubt your talents. I just need one flower pot - pot of violets. He loves violets, you see. Yes, he should struggle and pour his heart out in apologies, but he needs care, as well, and warmth... He has no one to look after him. After day is done, and he wrote everything he was told, I would like to present him a pot of violets, and it's winter, and I can't get it anywhere, on natural way, only through help of someone gifted, like you. I am ready to make any deal, within borders of reason, of course, if you'd be willing to do this one kindness for me. "

[Mirach]

Svarik chuckled. "Alright, if you think that it will help him with the start on the right path. I only did that with already grown flowers, just nudging them into bloom, but I think I could manage that with seeds, with the unicorn flute and some help from Melody. But I can't make violets from thin air, you will have to bring me a pot with violet seeds, if you want them. And I don't promise anything, in case it doesn't work or would take too long, as I already have plans for today."

[VisAnastasis]

" Promise to give your best chance would be good enough for me. Hans can be mean when angry, so he will, I am sure, sleep in for at least few more hours, knowing him. I may still have time to earn these violets, then. I shall go to herbalists around to seek for seeds as soon as you allow me, sweetest Nightingale, for little lovely violet seeds, and in worst case, I'll go to fields around city, and dig out some. " Tide proclaimed brightly, and his eyes sparkled, as it seemed like Svarik made his day, with the promise, and he seem to believe in Svarik's ability to work with flowers fully. " Thank you, so very much, my dearest guest! I knew I was not wrong about you. "

[Mirach]

"Do you think Hans will sleep that long? I hoped to look for a friend in the 4th city today... It's not enough time to get there and back though. If you manage to get the seeds sooner, I can use the time by trying to make them grow."

[VisAnastasis]

" I will go to get them as soon as I finish our conversation. " Tide promised fervently. His brow fell a little then, though, in seriousness. " I have one more thing... I would prefer we get over it now, right away, so I don't have to be tempted into not doing it. That is, I have something I want you to pass on to capital, as my messenger, and it's very precious. I would not dare entrust it with any hands other than your ones, that are good and gentle, and trustworthy. "

[Mirach]

"What is it and for whom? I will make sure they get it safely."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide stood up slowly... and then he knelt before Svarik solemnly. With great significance and meaning behind it, he took out the cloth in which little shell flute was wrapped, and extended it to king trustfully, lowering his head and bowing lowly with the act, as one that presents a precious gift. It seemed to be his way to show appreciation for Svarik, and his growing respect for him.
" It is an offering of good luck. " he whispered quietly and just a little hoarsely. " To the youngling - to lord you call Lord Nameless. Make sure he is made to understand it's specifically for him and he does not have to return it. He may keep it, if he promises to use it wisely. Just say I heard lot of good of him, and thought this may be a good tool for someone of his talents..."

[Mirach]

Svarik took the package carefully, not looking into it, since it was meant for another. "I will deliver it to him. Will he know what it is, or would you like to add some message, written or spoken?"

[VisAnastasis]

" No, of course not. The creature it belonged to died out long before he was even a possibility, a glimmer, in Death's eyes, as he looked upon his human ancestress. " Tide whispered thoughtfully, slowly looking up, and sitting down again. " It is a flute made by the best living demon flute maker, from a shell of a little pure creature that once graced world with its presence. It is only object in existence, as tough and hard as unicorn bones, and only blade from unicorn bones can destroy such a thing. Keep it safe. Only shell remained, but combined with this demon's knowledge, it makes for a powerful instrument in its own right. Tell Nameless to use it wisely. " he repeated his request quietly. " It will, I hope, help him save that wretched Spirit whom he admires to much. It is instrument of great powers of its own. He shall need it, if he wants to have any chance to save his ancestor from fall into corruption and madness. "

[Mirach]

"Then I will make sure he has it," Svarik promised simply.

[VisAnastasis]

" I am grateful. Just make sure that when he first tries it out, to try it far from city, with no people around. " Tide advised. " It's reach is deep into the soul, specially in gifted hands. With someone of his skill and power using it, I dare to say, it would make even toughest men weep and tremble with joy. Tell him to retreat into solitude at first, where none can hear him, until he can try to figure out how to channel to music only to one he plays healing music to, unless he, I mean, wants to put every person in eardrums range around him into ecstasy. Not really a good thing, in the long run, to meddle with too many people, when he's only supposed to focus on one person, right now, and has best chance of saving the world right now. "

[Mirach]

"That's really a powerful instrument. I will tell him to take such pecaustions."

[VisAnastasis]

" Unicorn flute is, of course, as powerful, but its power is constant, divine, magnificent, bound to purity and whatnot - it is an instrument of choice of a Spirit. But, yes, this one... It's made by demon flute maker, and first choices of demons, are always what brings strong feelings, and this flute brings strong feelings, because of way it was build upon, and because of what the shell creatures were in life, Chinmayi, bliss givers. " he just said simply. " Just make sure Death allows it to be played for him. It is vitally important. Corruption comes with terrible pain and feeling terrible, with toxic mindset and illnesses of soul and mind. I faced so much corrupted critters, I'd know. Feeling good shall help. "

[Mirach]

"Do you think those two instruments could be played together?" Svarik asked. "Or are they too powerful on their own and would clash?"